Search - Phil in Cahoots Miller :: Conspiracy Theories

Conspiracy Theories
Phil in Cahoots Miller
Conspiracy Theories
Genres: International Music, Jazz, Pop, Rock
 
  •  Track Listings (9) - Disc #1


     
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CD Details

All Artists: Phil in Cahoots Miller
Title: Conspiracy Theories
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 0
Label: United States Dist
Original Release Date: 1/1/2008
Re-Release Date: 1/13/2008
Album Type: Import
Genres: International Music, Jazz, Pop, Rock
Styles: Europe, Britain & Ireland, Jazz Fusion, Progressive, Progressive Rock
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 604388693726

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CD Reviews

Phil Miller's most ambitious record to date
Mui H. Yuen | New York City | 08/05/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)

"Two years in the making, Conspiracy Theories is guitarist Phil Miller's most ambitious record to date. A member of legendary Canterbury groups including Hatfield and the North, National Health, Matching Mole and Delivery, Miller has devoted the majority of his energy over the past quarter century to his more overtly jazz-centric In Cahoots group.



While the core of In Cahoots remains - über-bassist Fred Baker, keyboardist Pete Lemer and relative newcomer Mark Fletcher on drums - Conspiracy Theories introduces saxophonist Simon Picard and trumpeter Simon Finch to the line-up. Miller also calls on a number of friends old and new, including Gong alumnus Didier Malherbe (woodwinds), Annie Whitehead (trombone), Barbara Gaskin (vocals) and ex-Hatfield mates Dave Stewart (tuned percussion) and Richard Sinclair (bass).



Conspiracy Theories features seven new and characteristically dynamic compositions from Miller, and one each from Baker and Lemer. The group expands and contracts, ranging in size from quintet to a full eleven-piece for Miller's episodic, metrically-challenging and texturally rich "5s & 7s" - the largest ensemble Miller has written for to date. Miller's writing has never been more complex yet approachable, and the indefinable British nature of his writing, dating back to Matching Mole, remains a defining quality.



Miller, always a democratic leader, has also never been so liberal in providing his musical cohorts solo space. Still, while he doesn't take a proper solo himself until half-way through the disc, his distinctive and immediately recognizable harmonic voicings can be heard throughout. When he does take his first evocative solo on Baker's powerful ballad "End of the Line" it's clear that Miller's unique linear approach, one that steadfastly avoids any clear reference points but fuses an abstruse harmonic sensibility with a harder rock edge, continues to evolve.



Miller has never been one to grandstand, but there's still nobody who sounds quite like him. He's an economical player who values the meaning of space and thematic development over pyrotechnics and purposeless displays, and while he solos less on Conspiracy Theories than on previous outings, every note in every solo counts.



Conspiracy Theories is an important and welcome return for Miller after 2003's All That. Fans of the Canterbury scene will undoubtedly rejoice, but Conspiracy Theories' finely honed compositions, outstanding arrangements and compelling solos make it an album equally deserving of attention from the broader jazz listening public."
Phil In The Blanks
Robert Carlberg | Seattle | 08/02/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)

"Phil's marvelous little ensemble In Cahoots, who have been kicking around in various incarnations since 1981, are joined here by a brass section consisting of Annie Whitehead (tb), Simon Picard (ts), Didier Malherbe (ss) and Simon Finch (tp). The extra calories make Phil's always-delightful compositions really shine, and the ensemble feels really cohesive and muscular.



I must make special mention of the drumming. Mark Fletcher is proving himself to be one of the most tasteful drummers on the planet, with ideal percussion here. He supports the ensemble tangibly, but never calls attention to himself. His restrained use of cymbals and paradiddles are a lesson in effective drumming all by themselves. Wow.



Freddie Baker is always astounding, here no exception.



Of Phil's more than a dozen albums this is definitely my new favorite!

"
Per palati raffinati
Fabio Romagnoli | Rome, Italy | 01/07/2010
(4 out of 5 stars)

"Questo ultimo lavoro in studio (che risale ormai al 2006) di Phil Miller , accompagnato dai fedeli In Cahoots ed altri amici di vecchia data, presenta come sempre un raffinato jazz/rock di stampo canterburyano, dove ciascun musicista trova il suo ben meritato spazio. Phil Miller è un ottimo compositore (7 brani su 9 sono suoi), ma certamente non è un dittatore: i suoi compagni di viaggio sono protagonisti quanto lui ed in alcuni casi anche di più. Grazie ancora Phil!!!"